Lizzie Swanson ‘28
News Editor
Sometimes it can feel like we’re our own little city up here on the Hill. Separated from the rest of Worcester by the highway, it’s not an easy task to venture into the city if you’re new to the area or hesitant to explore. While there are plenty of opportunities on campus for community and connection, discovering fun in the Worcester area is a great way for Holy Cross students to connect with the broader community. Holy Cross offers a variety of transportation options that often go unused by the general student population.
Zipcars are a great way for students to get behind the wheel themselves. However, it’s important to be aware of these costs before signing up. You must apply for a Zipcard and pay an annual fee (currently $35), an application fee (currently $25), and a young driver fee (applicable to drivers aged 18-24, price not stated). From there, you will be able to rent a Zipcar on an hourly basis or for the day. Prices for the hourly rate are a little over ten dollars depending on the type of car and the number of seats. For students planning to utilize this resource several times throughout the year, this is a good second option to keeping a car on campus. However, for students looking for a casual and infrequent mode of transportation, Zipcar would not be the place to look.
Students looking to utilize the train system here in Worcester should be aware of the commuter rail and the Amtrak. More importantly, they should be aware of the difference. The commuter rail is a form of passenger rail transportation that generally connects a larger city (ex. Boston) to smaller towns. The commuter rail in Worcester is referred to as the Framingham/Worcester line and will deliver passengers to its final destination, South Station in Boston. However, because of its stop and go nature, passengers are able to enter and exit the vehicle from any of the 17 stops it makes on its way to Boston. The commuter rail has several more available trains on weekdays than the weekends (hence referring to the name “commuter rail” as employees use the train to commute to work). By downloading the mTicket app, you will have access to all commuter rails in Massachusetts. You can book your ticket online with the app or pay on the train with cash. Prices are relatively inexpensive for the commuter rail.
The Worcester Amtrak at Union Station is another form of transportation that offers travel outside of Massachusetts. You can book out of state train rides on the Amtrak website. Prices vary based on distance between your destination and departure as well as type of seat you purchase (Coach, Business, or First.) The Amtrak is faster than the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) as there are fewer stops, however the Amtrak is designed for longer trips.
Students are also welcome to utilize driving services like Uber or taxis. Taxis usually have a lower starting fare, but can add extra fees. Uber, however, gives the final price up front and can be cheaper for longer distances. Carpooling with friends in either a taxi or Uber can cut your cost down and can make everyone’s travel easier.
To travel into the Blackstone shopping center during the week, Holy Cross offers a shuttle service Monday through Friday which all leave from Hogan 3 at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. On the weekends, transportation to Blackstone, Union Station, Walmart, and various locations throughout Worcester are offered between the hours of 2pm and 7:50pm. For more information regarding the shuttle service, you can access the schedule under the SGA’s page on the Holy Cross website.
Featured image courtesy of Tripadvisor
Leave a Reply